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Pet safety

Is Heart-Leaved Curcuma toxic to cats?

Curcuma cordata

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists heart-leaved curcuma as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. Curcuma cordata is not listed by the ASPCA. Without individual evaluation, and given the bioactive compounds present in the Curcuma genus, this species should be treated as mildly toxic to dogs and cats as a precaution.

What to do if your cat ate heart-leaved curcuma

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move heart-leaved curcuma out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of heart-leaved curcuma to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten heart-leaved curcuma, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is heart-leaved curcuma toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is heart-leaved curcuma toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists heart-leaved curcuma as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. Curcuma cordata is not listed by the ASPCA. Without individual evaluation, and given the bioactive compounds present in the Curcuma genus, this species should be treated as mildly toxic to dogs and cats as a precaution.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats heart-leaved curcuma?

Curcuma cordata is not listed by the ASPCA. Without individual evaluation, and given the bioactive compounds present in the Curcuma genus, this species should be treated as mildly toxic to dogs and cats as a precaution. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to heart-leaved curcuma.

What should I do if my cat ate heart-leaved curcuma?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 in the US, or Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509 000 in the UK and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is heart-leaved curcuma toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Heart-Leaved Curcuma is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full heart-leaved curcuma pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to heart-leaved curcuma?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Type any plant to see what the ASPCA says about it and your cat.

Full heart-leaved curcuma pet-safety

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